Tag: folklore

Have your heard of the Haunted Sensabaugh Tunnel in Kingsort, TN? On episode 135 of the Travel Oddities Podcast, Brett and Harley face their fear of the dark and head into this creepy urban legend.

Kingsport Tennessee is a small city nestled in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. It is within a day’s drive of most of the US. Lauded by golfers and walkers alike, you are not likely to find a more peaceful land of parks and historical sights.

If your tastes lean further towards to spooky end of the street, you are going to love the haunted Sensabaugh Tunnel. Legends of murder, ghosts, satanic rituals and automobile high jinks abound around this very creepy tunnel. If you hear the crying baby, it may just be too late for you.

If you chicken out on the haunted tunnel, The Kingsport Carousel may be more your speed. This is a totally renovated 1956 Allen Herschell Carousel and it is treasured by the locals.

When it is time for a quick meal, Pal’s Sudden Service is the place to be. Pal’s Sudden Service a local chain that serves incredible food, has lightning-fast drive thrus, and personalized service. It is more than a meal, it is an experience.

On episode 134 of the Travel Oddities Podcast, Harley and Brett confront the ghosts(plural) that are said to inhabit the beautiful waters of Spirit Lake.

Spirit Lake, ID is a logging town and we are fairly certain that is a Travel Oddities first.
Not only is this place picturesque with a scenic downtown, they have an activity for any outdoor enthusiast.

Like so many of the legends we discuss, this one starts with some spooky Native American legends. The Phantoms of Spirit Lake have their origin in these legends, and whether you are a believer or you just love the stories, this one has you covered.

What is the story behind the phantoms?

When is the best time of year to run into a phantom?

If you like your adrenaline spikes to originate from something a little more mundane, then you are going to love Silverwood Theme Park in Athol, Idaho. It is located in beautiful North Idaho, and has over 65 rides, slides, shows and attractions, including one that was voted best in the country by Travel Channel.

After your adventures in this town, you are going to need to refuel, and Messy’s Burgers is just the place to do that. Messy’s is a quick food restaurant in beautiful Spirit Lake, Idaho. Serving burgers, rippers (deep fried hotdogs), milkshake and floats.

Brett and Harley have not been able to come to a truce on the review front, so strap in, it gets really bleepy!

On episode 125, Harley and Brett have a most excellent adventure exploring Odon, Indiana.

Odon may be small but it has quite a few things to offer the bachelor on the move. Odon has a two thirds female population…

The Odon Fire Poltergeist is a most baffling mystery and the town of Odon has haunted by the tale since the 1940s.
What could cause a house to catch fire over twenty times in a day in front of numerous witnesses? A G.D. Fire Poltergeist!

How can you deal with a poltergeist?

Do the movies have it right when it comes to ghosts?

Want something a little darker? How about a cavernous canoe ride in the Bluespring Caverns?

We cannot vouch for the cooking skills of the Odon Fire Poltergeist, but Smokin Jim’s BBQ knows what to do with the flames!

On episode 124, Harley and Brett are dusting off the history books to explore the city of Richmond, Virginia.

Richmond has been called the Best River City to live in by, the city with the best street art in the entire world,
the Best Affordable Place To Take A Vacation, the “most fun and affordable U.S. city, 2014’s Best Destinations, and the Best U.S. Historical Destination.

The Hollywood Vampire is a legend that has haunted Richmond, VA and the historic Hollywood Cemetery since the 1920’s. Local residents claim that the mausoleum of W. W. Pool holds the remains of a vampire.

Where can you find the Hollywood Vampire?

Do you show the signs of being a vampire?

Is Brett Manzer a vampire?

With all of the accolades thrust upon Richmond, you would think there would be loads of entertainment and you would be right.

If you interests are more literary than Anne Rice, we suggest you check out the Edgar Allan Poe Museum. This museum celebrates the grim author’s life and work with one of the largest collections of letters, manuscripts, and artifacts related to the writer. They also have is socks, which seems to be a little stalkerish to us.

When you are ready for give your dogs a rest and grab some food…Unleashed – Gourmet Hotdogs can’t be beat!

On this week’s episode, Harley is back from his trip to Florida and he and Brett use the frequent flyer miles to visit Anderson, Indiana.

Brett got to revisit one of his worst fears…little things.

Puckwudgies are knee high(an average knee high) forest spirits with a taste for blood and apparently the Mounds State Park has been overrun.

What is Puckwudgie?

What can you do to increase your chances of a Puckwudgie encounter?

Do Puckwudgies like Skittles?

From festivals, museums, hiking, and theatre to shopping, racing, and a casino, Anderson, IN has something for everyone all year long. There is a reason that it is called the Pittsburgh on White River.

Puckwudgies weren’t scary enough? There is more…Indy Scream Park is rated one of the scariest Halloween events in the country.

You don’t have to have your black belt to eat at Ninja of Japan, but maybe something with an elastic waist might help.

On this week’s episode, Harley and Brett kick off summer right with a trip to Uncertain, Texas. Yes, we are sure.

Harley had a great interview with Ken Gerhard, a cryptozoologist and field investigator for The Centre for Fortean Zoology. We discuss the Caddo Lake State Park Bigfoot and the similar sightings in the area including some outings with Lyle Blackburn and the Fouke Monster.

What is Bigfoot?

What can you do to increase your chances of a Bigfoot encounter?

What is the Devil’s Elbow?

What project is Ken working on?

Uncertain, TX was originally called this by the surveyors, because they were Uncertain to whether this place was in Texas or Louisianna. The local sheriff was quoted as saying, “You’ve got to either know where you’re goin’ or be lost to find it.”

Need more Bigfoot? The Texas Bigfoot Research Center runs the Original Texas Bigfoot Conference just down the road in Jefferson, TX. Check it out and you just might meet. Bob Gimlin, Dr. Jeff Meldrum, Lyle Blackburn, Ken Gerhard, Nick Redfern, or Shelly Covington-Montana.

The Shady Glade Cafe may be the only restaurant around, but that hasn’t stopped them from making some crazy good country cookin’!

Brett was left alone in the studio this week…. On this week’s episode, Harley and Brett fight through the pollen to visit Stewartstown, PA.

Brett had a great interview with Andrew D. Gable, author of The Mystery Animals of Pennsylvania. Andrew has a depth of knowledge about all things strange and spent his youth in Pennsylvania. We discuss Rehmeyer’s Hollow, which may be one of the strangest places we have ever covered on our show.

What is Rehmeyer’s Hollow or The Hex Hollow?

Who do the Pennsylvania Dutch and witchcraft tie into the legend?

What book is Andrew working on now?

Stewartstown was originally claimed by both Maryland and Pennsylvania, and this dispute was not settled until the survey of the Mason–Dixon Line in 1767. If you are trying to find this sleepy little town, ask for directions to “the Maryland line” because unless you’re from Stewartstown, you’ve never heard of it.

The Turkey Hill Experience is not booze, but a neat look into the inner workings of the culture of Turkey Hill Dairy….you get to milk a mechanical cow.

Paesano’s in New Freedom is a pizzeria straight from the old country. We never thought of putting meatballs on a pizza, but this place has and we can’t wait to visit!

Stick around for the outtakes….Harley has broken Brett’s muppeteer heart.

One week back from the Ozark Mountains UFO Conference and we are all still a little slap-happy! On this week’s episode, Harley and Brett have to strip off the excess gear to fully explore one of the most scenic areas in all of Ohio, Peebles, OH.

This place was apparently built for hikers. With miles of trails, you can hike for days or take an afternoon exploring one of the smaller trails.

We have an interview with Ross Hamilton about the Great Serpent Mound and he is smarter than us. We discuss his 12 year exploration of the Serpent Mound and his book The Mystery of the Serpent Mound.

What is the origin of the Serpent Mound?

What is its astronomical significance?

Why was it built here?

Who were the Adena people?

Is the Serpent Mound a path to enlightenment, a map of the stars, haunted, or an intergalactic Phillips 66?

There are events feature drumming, sweat lodges, healing ceremonies, and crystal skulls at the mound.

What is Sound Current meditation?

If you have already found enlightenment, you can always check out the Cedar Trails Nudist Retreat. It is family orientated and they have loads of activities….we tried to not make it weird….that didn’t work.

BK Scoop in West Union may have the coolest menu ever. #travelodditiesapproved

On this week’s episode, Harley and Brett fight the spring snow to explore Abbeville, Alabama, you know….the Yellowhammer State, the “Heart of Dixie” or the “CottonState”.

We discuss a creepy haunting, phantom, cryptid or something called Huggin’ Molly. How scary can it be with a name like Huggin’ Molly?

This oddity may or may not scare you, but don’t let that keep you from traveling here. The town is like a time-capsule.

The Statue of Leroy Brown, the famous fish? Yes we are telling fish stories and ours is bigger than yours.

Brett spends some time explaining his theories on hugs and he is offering free hugs from the back of his panel van. So come one, come all…

No Episode of the Travel Oddities Podcast would be complete without a place to grab a bite. Huggin’ Molly’s restaurant obviously has been listening to our show. They have the lore and they built a store! If you run into the propriators…..tell them we accept cash or card.

The Top 5 was instrumental in the completion of this episode.

Specials thanks to Logan for the beautiful feedback and for sharing his story.